Any person who violates this chapter, or any regulations adopted under this chapter, is liable civilly in an amount not less than one hundred dollars ($100) and not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each and every violation, that sum to be recovered by the director in any court of competent jurisdiction. The amount of penalty which is assessed pursuant to this section on each count of violation shall be based upon the nature of the violation and the seriousness of the effect of the violation upon effectuation of the purposes and provisions of this chapter. The court may, in addition to the civil penalty, award reasonably incurred investigative and enforcement costs, and attorney’s fees, to the director. The court may also award attorney’s fees to any person successfully defending a civil action under this section. In any civil action initiated by the director under this section, the director shall join in the action, and assert civil penalties against, all parties participating in the commission of the unlawful practice. Any sum which is recovered under this section shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

(Amended by Stats. 1989, Ch. 522, Sec. 1.)